FRIARS POINT — The names of two streets were officially changed in Friars Point after recent dedications were held to commemorate the occasion.
Rozell Lane in Friars Point is now Andrew Thompson Street, named after former Coahoma County Sheriff Andrew Thompson, who resides in Friars Point. Geraldine Collins Street, which was previously Osage Street, is the other new street in Friars Point. Collins died in 2013.
Thompson was sheriff from 1988-2009 and also worked at the state penitentiary in Parchman, was deputy in Coahoma County for eight years and was with the investigative office with the district attorney for four-and-a-half years.
“Mr. Mayor, Board of Aldermen, citizens of Friars Point, I’m honored today that you are honoring me with this street named after me,” Thompson said. “During the course of the years, I developed Friars Point as my home. I’ve been here for about 50 years in the community. During my tenure in office, I tried to serve the people honorably and fairly.”
Thompson has not been sheriff for several years, but he still keeps busy.
“I have a little small business,” he said. “I do civil process for attorneys and try to locate witnesses, whatever they deem. I don’t get into hard stuff like I used to.”
Mayor James Washington had all praise for Thompson.
“Sheriff Thompson was there in a lot of ways that I don’t even have the words to say,” Washington said. “Whenever I called upon him, he was there. Whenever he went somewhere and found something that could benefit the community, he called.”
Washington said he felt bad because it took so long to give Thompson recognition.
“To have a person in your midst that has the task that he had for so many years, to think of a little place like this, he should be commended highly,” Washington said. “This is not big enough for the sheriff.”
Collins was a homemaker and mother.
“I would just like to say that my mother, Geraldine Collins, worked through her children a lot of times on matters that were of interest to the town that were interest to her personally, like the sewer system issues,” said Collins’ daughter, Annie Laura Collins, who served as city clerk and deputy clerk for 12 years.
Collins’ son, Norris Holly, was also on the city council.
Washington has only positive memories of Collins.
“If it wasn’t for Geraldine Collins, I wouldn’t be what I am,” Washington said. “She gave me wisdom. She gave me feeling and desire to keep pressing on.”
